An old simple cinema was built in 1916 to entertain folks with Chinese Opera. The theater could accommodate 400 people. It collapsed in 1927 but was rebuilt in 1934 at the present site. Shengping Theater was the first and largest theater in Northern Taiwan back in the Japanese Colonial Era.
Because people came to Jiufen in the 1930s to work in the gold mines, Shengping Theater was the most famous hangout then.
Original projector
Loved the wooden chairs. Loved the cosy feeling. Loved the "old" smell of the theater. I just wished, when we were there, they had shown an old film or Flintstones in black and white! I understand they do show old films in the afternoons at certain times in a week. So whoever who visits Jiufen must stay a night at this quaint little village to enjoy the atmosphere and food and this old theater.
I looked up the balcony on both sides and imagined myself wearing a Cheongsam with a fur coat and red heels, sitting on one of the VIP spots to watch a production of Opera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was the way of informing the public of the latest showing, be it an Opera production or puppet performances or a film showing. The kids would carry a billboard and announce in the loudspeakers of the new production.
Enjoyed ourselves tremendously even though we were a little soaked through.
It was a rainy day when we visited but happy spirits were in the air!
